Lonely, young sailor Dennis Hopper (as Johnny Drake) enters a seaside California tavern and spies exotic, forlorn beauty Linda Lawson (as Mora). Smitten, Mr. Hopper walks her home, but receives only an invitation to breakfast, the next day. The next morning, Hopper shares a breakfast of mackerel with Ms. Lawson (and a seagull). Lawson explains she works as a mermaid for the local carnival. Hopper begins a relationship with the strange woman, who implies she may be descended from real mermaids. Then, he learns her previous boyfriends died mysteriously
Curtis Harrington's "Night Tide" is absorbing, atmospheric, and hypnotic. Director Harrington and star Hopper are perfectly suited to each other, focusing on Hopper's achingly natural, and almost impossibly poignant, characterization. The photography (Vilis Lapenieks) and music (David Raksin) are also in tune. Lawson is magnetic and mysterious. Shakespearean reader Gavin Muir (as Samuel Murdock) and coffee-loving Luana Anders (as Ellen Sands) join in the struggle for Hopper's mind and body. If only there were a couple of re-takes, another edit, and a clearer resolution
******* Night Tide (8/61) Curtis Harrington ~ Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson, Gavin Muir, Luana Anders
Curtis Harrington's "Night Tide" is absorbing, atmospheric, and hypnotic. Director Harrington and star Hopper are perfectly suited to each other, focusing on Hopper's achingly natural, and almost impossibly poignant, characterization. The photography (Vilis Lapenieks) and music (David Raksin) are also in tune. Lawson is magnetic and mysterious. Shakespearean reader Gavin Muir (as Samuel Murdock) and coffee-loving Luana Anders (as Ellen Sands) join in the struggle for Hopper's mind and body. If only there were a couple of re-takes, another edit, and a clearer resolution
******* Night Tide (8/61) Curtis Harrington ~ Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson, Gavin Muir, Luana Anders